Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/235

Rh portion of the ground between the Chiese and the Mincio was level and full of earthworks and strong positions; the remainder was a plain or slightly undulating land, covered with vineyards, small gardens, cornfields, and orchards of fruit-trees. The more broken ground behind this position extends from Volta to Sonato, closing around the plain in a half-circle. Just above the hills rises the village of Solferino. The plain is broken by fissures in many places, which interfere with the rapid movement of troops. There are also many long stone walls bounding the farms. The only place for manœuvring large bodies of troops is the plateau of San Martino, which is seen in the distance, and its northern and western sides are so steep as to render it a very powerful position. A valley running to the south of Solferino widens into a marsh. The highways from Castiglione and Carpendolo extend along the hills, and not far off is the square between Pozzolengo, Volta, Medola and Rivoltella, the field where the battle of Castiglione was fought in 1796.

At daybreak on the 24th the French and Sardinians broke up their encampments, marching in close array. The 1st corps, commanded by Marshal Baraguey d'Hilliers, was to attack the Austrians in their position on the heights of Solferino; the 2d corps, which was to advance on the village, had been on the way since three o'clock, in the morning. The 1st division was ordered to support the right wing of the 2d; it started at four o'clock, moving on towards Castiglione. The 1st division was to be followed by the 3d, which was not to move from Esenta before six o'clock. A great deal of time was lost in these movements, in consequence of the rugged nature of the ground to be crossed and the lack of knowledge of the plans and positions of the Austrians. The 1st division under General Forey encountered the Austrian outposts near the little town of Fontana and forced